ANSC 3122 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Gynecomastia, Clitoromegaly, Spermatogenesis
Document Summary
Sexual differentiation of the brain: occurs during puberty, gonadal-hormone dependent process, results in changes in morphology, physiology & behavior. Most studied & characterized is the sdn-poa (sdn preoptic area) Across species, sdn-poa always larger in males than in females. + ultimate attainment of volume is due to pre- or perinatal gonadal hormone exposure. + sex difference in volume is not established until the time of puberty. + only larger in female at time of gnrh surge. Physiology gnrh surge center of hypothalamus; production of and response to hormones. Behaviors typical reproductive behaviors and sex-linked behaviors such as aggression in males: hypothalamus regulated by what went on in the uterus of the mother. Pituitary gland is stimulated by gnrn to secrete lh and fsh. Males and females secrete gnrh very differently. + tonic production - small secretions of gnrh = small secretions of testosterone; steady. In females, controls the production of estrogen, lh, fsh, etc.
